As pelvic health experts at Rebalance Physical Therapy, our therapists receive many questions about what is “normal” when it comes to their period. Often, in more traditional healthcare settings, women are told that heavy periods and painful periods are a normal part of their cycle. Though mild cramps might be normal and expected, more severe symptoms could be signs of an underlying hormone disruption or a more serious health problem. Below are listed some period red flags. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult with your doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife to determine if additional medical care or testing is needed:
- 1. Heavy uterine bleeding—soaking through a pad or tampon in more than 2 hours
- 2. Bleeding for more than 7 days
- 3. Period pain that feels out of the ordinary
- 4. New, very severe pelvic or abdominal pain that does not occur during your period
- 5. Pain that gets progressively worse or lasts longer than the first few days of your period
- 6. Pain, fever, chills during any time of your cycle or after wearing a tampon
- 7. Dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath (this could be a sign of anemia related to heavy periods)
- 8. Foul-smelling discharge (can be a sign of infection)
- 9. Bleeding between your normal period
- `10. Your period stops for 3 months or more and you’re not pregnant, breastfeeding, or using long-acting birth control pills
- 11. Chronic depression, suicidal thoughts
Crampy pelvic pain and uterine bleeding can also be due to a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. If you have missed a period or have irregular periods, are experiencing new period pain or pain that is worse than usual, and you are sexually active, you might also consider possible pregnancy.
If you’ve ruled out the above health conditions and are still experiencing severe symptoms around your period, consult with us at Rebalance Physical Therapy! Our clinicians can help identify imbalances throughout your body, as well as lifestyle habits, that could be contributing to your unusual period symptoms.
This information is taken directly from Hormone Intelligence: The Complete Guide to Calming Hormone Choas and Restoring You Body’s Natural Blueprint for Well-Being. (2021) by Aviva Romm. HarperOne.
Written by Stephanie Muntzer, MPT, PYT, RYT200, CPI, SFMA, FMSc
